Headbutting

I know that nudging is normal for a cat (or dog), as if to say, "I'm here. Pet me." But my cat, Charcoal headbutts to the extreme. She's butted me so hard, I've had bruises on my chin. She butts me everywhere and does it when I am sleeping (who needs an alarm clock?). She is not intending to hurt; I just don't think she knows her own strength. Has anyone tried anything to curb this behavior or to reduce the harshness?

Mary
Oakland, CA

Well, not being ones to ever discourage kitty displays of love, we haven't done anything to curb this behavior. We have one kitty that headbumps really hard, but not so that it leaves bruises.

Maybe treat it the same way we do with our deaf girl, who uses her paw in our face to get attention? When she uses her paw "inappropriately," we blow a strong, short, sharp puff of air in her face and say "no" (even though she can't hear us). When she's soft with her paw, we pet her and tell her what a good girl she is.

Maybe try the positive reinforcement for a soft headbump and the negative reinforcement for a headbump that's too strong? And shen she does the hard headbump, say "OW!" loud, then blow in her face, and say no. But when she does it nice, praiser her to high heaven, and give her a treat, or pets, or play or something.

Laurie

Originally Posted by LDG

Maybe treat it the same way we do with our deaf girl, who uses her paw in our face to get attention? When she uses her paw "inappropriately," we blow a strong, short, sharp puff of air in her face and say "no" (even though she can't hear us). When she's soft with her paw, we pet her and tell her what a good girl she is.



Laurie

Click to expand...

Thats what I do here, a puff is usually enough, once the cat gets the connection.

My Mama cat headbutts the furniture, (wood coffee table, and cabinets) really hard! I can even hear her
doing it when I am in my bedroom and she is in the living room! sometimes
it sounds so bad I make sure she is still conscious because it sounds like she is going to crack her skull open! duh
Something else she does to me every morning when my loud alarm goes off..
she gets beside me, and with her paw, she will start to stroke my back, face, chest, whatever is exposed, bare skin!! Very lightly at first with alittle bit of
claw out, and if I don't wake up then and turn that alarm off, the pawing
gets pretty strong if you know what I mean? Thank goodness for her or
I would be so late!!!!
I also call her my Lassie Cat, one night I was very ill, I got out of bed and went into my bathroom I shut the door, I was having severe pains, and was lying in the floor, I guess she heard me crying and sensed something, because she was meowing loudly at the door! Over and Over, when I didn't open the door, she went to the living room and sat infront of my son, and preceded to meow even louder until he noticed and she ran for my bathroom door! I think she can't get my attention just being sweet and quiet, so that is why she knocks around on the furniture, I know it still has to hurt!!!

Monique

Blow in their face, it'll usually cause them to simmer down a bit. Babies kitties do this to their mothers, and that is usually the response.

Seti isn't rough but once he's decided to cuddle with me it's like I've grown a cat shaped tumor, usually on my face. Lately, I've had to force him away from me when he's like that since he usually does it while I'm sleeping and I can't breathe. Anyway, I'm seeing success. He'll still cuddle when I invite him to and the rest of the time he sleeps somewhere more appropriate. It takes consistency though, every time she's too hard you'll need to push her away then give her lots of love and praise when she "kisses" more to your liking!

My cat headbutts too but not in a way that leaves bruises! I would try the blowing technique and see if it works. This thread made me laugh at the quirkiness of our cats!

All of the above and yell loudly in pain when she headbutts you too hard, but only when it's too hard. With a bit of time and patience she should learn her own strength!

sooty head butts quite softly the rubs his face over my cheek hes never done it hard though flash just rubs her cheek against mine

i would trying the blowing air trick